I stood by the window of the carriage watching as the Capitol came into view. This is it ... we are here.

"Ok everyone get those smiles on your faces. You're about to become famous." Nadja came to check my hair and that my skirt hadn't creased.  I knock her hand away and sit at the table. Adrien remains by the window as the station came into view. Suddenly a rainbow of colours flashed by as we slowed down to a complete stop. We had made it to the Capitol. Outside a cattle of people stood around screaming and shouting our names. Adrien turns his head and smiles at the crowd waving and blowing kisses.

"See sweetheart ... he gets it!" Fu looks at me and takes another swig from his hip flask. I look up at Adrien in disgust.

Why is he playing along with the Capitol?

"Come on Mari, you need to see all this. They're shouting for you." All respect I had for Adrien was gone. All he wanted was the admiration for the games, like many of his predecessors.  I held my ground and only stood up when Nadja said we were leaving the train.

I follow Nadja and Adrien out the door keeping my eyes firmly placed on the ground. Fu appears next to me.

"Chin up sweetheart, you need to show your pretty face to the sponsors." I slowly look up and look around at the manic scene in front of me. What do all these people think this is? A zoo?

I follow the group to the cars and make my way in, moving over to a window and looking outside. The other three make small talk but I just keep staring. The people who live in the Capitol have no idea! They wander around in their bright attire without a care, not knowing what's happening out in the other Districts before them.

The journey is brief to where the opening ceremony is taking place. We are separated and ushered into dressing rooms. My stylish for the games is Audrey Bourgeois. She's a stunning lady and walks with a natural swagger.

"Hello darl, I'm Audrey. I'm yours and Adrien's designer for the games." She grabs hold of my hands, "I was moved, utterly moved by your volunteering to save that little creature,"

"She's not a creature, she's a ..."

"It has completely inspired me with your outfits. Now come along and get changed, we don't have a lot of time."

She tells me to strip off and places my outfit in my quivering hands. It is a tight black catsuit with jet black rhinestones, sequins and ... pieces of coal? I suppose we are the mining district.

I place heavy, black, steal capped boots on my feet and look at myself in the mirror. The costume is stunning, I spin around looking at all different angles on my body. I can tell it was designed specifically for me as every inch of material clung perfecting, showing off my petite frame. As I looked at the back, I noticed a piece of material flapping around my shoulders and the back of my hips, partially covering my bottom.

"Time for hair and make up." Audrey exclaims, walking breezily back into the room with my style team. "Oh darl, you look beautiful, utterly beautiful. They won't be able to keep their eyes off you."

With a click of her long, polished fingers my style team pounced on me, pushing me down into the chair. One got to work on my face while the other twist and turned my hair.

In the matter of minutes they were finished. They cleared the way so I could look at myself in the mirror. I had smokey black eyes, an extremely contoured face and red stained lips. My hair have been sleeked back off my face and put into a tight ponytail with plaits looping down onto my head. In other words, I looked nothing like my plain ordinary self.

And that's the end of Marinette from District 12, I sighed to myself. I was now a pawn in the Capitol's game.

I walked out my dressing room and over to our carriage. Audrey was behind me with the other two stylists. I looked around at the different clothing from the different districts in awe.

District 1, the district of luxury. The tributes for District 1 were already on their carriage covered from head to toe in the finest gems. Each tribute from District 1 wore an array of brightly coloured jewellery, from tiaras to toe rings.

District 4's tributes were wrapped from neck to waist in finishing wire that merged into a fishing net, completing the look by presenting a mini skirt. District 4 is the fishing district.

Each district had their own style and own look. All I could think about was how dull, dark and boring we looked in comparison. Adrien was already situated on the top of the carriage and put his hand out to help me up.

"I've got it. Thanks." He gives me a shrug as I heave myself up next to him. Fu suddenly appears beside us.

"Smile and wave. You need to get yourselves noticed by the Capitol. Remember, the more people talk about you the more likely you will gain sponsors."

I rolled my eyes, "don't roll your eyes at me sweet cheeks, sponsors help you win the games," he goes to walk around before turning back quickly eyes narrowed in on me, "and for the love of all, at least try and get someone out there to like you."

—————————————————

The fan fair sounded officially starting the 74th Miraculous Games. President Hawkmoth, wearing his usual purple attire complete with mask, approached the microphone and started his greeting to the crowd.

Audrey came up behind us and started messing with the drapes of material.

"You both need to hold still. I'm going to set you on fire."

"WHAT?" I wailed, turning towards her. "Do you want to kill us?"

"That's ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! The flames are synthetic. They're not going to hurt you." She messed around at the back of our costumes, finally leaving with a smug smile on her face.

The horses all began to move, pulling us out of the backstage area into the courtyard of Hawkmoth's home. I reached forward grabbing on, I had never been in a moving carriage before and my legs had turned to jelly.

"You ok?" Adrien glanced at me, reaching out. I push his arms away and stood up straight.

"Yep, absolutely fine."

The sounds of cheering and clapping became louder as we followed District 11 into the courtyard. I felt my backbone straighten and kept my chin up.

I will not show weakness or fear.

The crowd was silent as we enter, everyone was gawking at us. I could hear the gasps and the sighs from the audience before they all broke out into untamed applause. 

I looked around as the crowd were cheering and throwing flowers at us. Many different types and colours hit the deck of the carriage, I noticed a bright red and couldn't take my eyes off it. It was an unusual colour, one I'd never seen before.

The perfect rose, I thought. Suddenly my attention was diverted from the rose by fingers linking through mine.

I pulled my hand out of Adrien's grasp and eyeballed him. He sighed and reached for my hand again. He leaned his head into mine,

"Come on, the crowd will love it." I nodded once at him as he lifted our intertwined hand into the air. The crowd erupted at our gesture.

The horse and carriages pulled up in front of a platform where President Hawkmoth was seated.

"Welcome to the 74th Miraculous Games Tributes ... and may the odds be ever in your favour."

A cold shiver ran down my spine as Hawkmoth's eyes bore deep into mine.